Chapter 27 Introductions
After the excitement and anticipation, the presentation to the Queen was almost anticlimactic.
As ordered, although it was phrased as an invitation, the duchess and her son escorted the three Bennet sisters and the Gardiners to Buckingham House. The location was dictated by the fact that this was an informal audience.
The group were escorted down long corridors to a small reception room overlooking the gardens, where they were handed over to the majordomo, who ushered them into the room.
Queen Charlotte was seated in a comfortable chair with Lady Henrietta standing at her right hand. Several other ladies were seated by a window, busily engaged in needlework and quiet conversation.
The ladies performed deep curtsies while the men bowed respectfully as each of them was announced by the majordomo.
The Queen gestured for them to approach. ‘We are pleased to make your acquaintance. Please be seated and take a dish of tea with me.’ She indicated a group of chairs set conveniently close.
Her guests complied although only the duchess and Lord James could be said to be seated, all the others perched at the edge of their seats, something the Queen noticed but did not comment.
Once everyone was served, she addressed Jane, ‘We understand that we may wish you happiness since you and Lord James have recently become engaged.’
‘Thank you, Your Majesty. I am indeed most happy to be marrying such a worthy man.’
‘It must also be pleasing for you that soon you will be elevated to be amongst the highest in the land.’
‘We formed an attachment before I was aware of Lord James’ situation,’ Jane demurred, politely but firmly.
‘Pardon me, Your Majesty, but my sister agreed to marry Lord James despite his rank, not because of it,’ Elizabeth said with a polite smile despite bristling inside.
The Queen raised a brow and focused her attention on Elizabeth. ‘Indeed, Miss Elizabeth?’
‘Indeed, Your Majesty,’ Elizabeth confirmed, refusing to drop her gaze.
After a few moments the Queen relented and broke into a smile. ‘My reports were accurate it seems. You are quite the spitfire while your sister is the perfect lady. I believe each of you are well suited to the men whom you have chosen.’
‘How…’ gasped Elizabeth.
‘I am kept informed of all the major families in the country.’
The Queen had a few words for each of them until she addressed the duchess, ‘I was saddened when I was informed of your husband’s passing.
When I first arrived in this country your husband was kind to me at a time when I had few friends and he never asked for favours in return. I do not forget such generous actions.’
‘Thank you, Your Majesty. May I ask, if that is why you agreed to receive us?’
‘That was indeed part of the reason. I also wanted to meet your son to see for myself if he takes after his father. I am pleased that he does,’ the Queen answered with a smile before handing her now empty cup to Lady Henrietta. ‘It was a pleasure to meet you all.’
As that comment was obviously a dismissal the visitors rose and after performing their bows and curtsies, quit the Queen’s presence.
~T~
Caroline Bingley was over the moon, walking on clouds, in seventh heaven even. After all the years of scheming she had at last achieved her goal.
The previous week, Mr Charles Bingley and Miss Caroline Bingley had received an invitation to a ball without the intercession of Mr Darcy. And not just any ball, but the premier ball of the season.
As soon as Caroline received the invitation, she sent an express to her brother to hurry back to London with all speed.
Charles Bingley arrived back in town at noon on the day of the ball.
Even though his sister felt that he had cut his return rather fine, since he had enough time to get cleaned up, have a rest and dress in his best ensemble, she was content not to berate him for tardiness… too much.
~T~
After leaving Buckingham House, the party returned to Barrington House where they would have an early dinner before changing into their finery for the ball.
The Fitzwilliams and Darcy were to join them and since the weather was fine, they would walk to Langford’s residence, which was only two houses down the street.
As they had time to spare, the Duchess took the sisters and the Gardiners on a tour of the house.
She was particularly keen on showing Jane the mistress’s suite.
‘As I do not spend much time in town, I have not bothered updating these rooms in well over a decade. I would like you to think about the changes you would like to make.’
‘Lady Isabella, I have no intention of displacing you from your rooms,’ protested Jane.
‘You will not be displacing me, as I am having the suite at the other end of the corridor updated according to my taste. This way I am not inconvenienced by the redecoration,’ the duchess countered good-naturedly.
Eventually Jane was convinced.
~T~
While everyone was getting ready for the ball, an express rider made his way to Longbourn, where he delivered a letter to Mrs Bennet late in the afternoon.
The lady was full of apprehension when she broke the seal while Mrs Hill stood next to her with her mistress’s salts.
Gardiner House, London
Dearest Mama
Please be at ease, nothing dreadful has happened.
Mrs Bennet heaved a sigh of relief.
On the contrary, I have the most wonderful news which I wanted to relate to you before you see the notices in the papers tomorrow.
I am engaged to be married to the most wonderful man.
The look of relief changed to a beaming smile as Mrs Bennet wondered if it would be that nice young man Jane had written about in previous letters.
You remember that I have been telling you about Cousin Amelia’s cousin, Mr James Deveril. As you may have guessed from my previous letters, I have come to know the gentleman rather well and have fallen deeply in love with him.
It was him.
He is the most wonderful and caring man I have ever met, and he loves me too. And even better, he loves me for myself, not for my beauty, although he is not complaining about my looks. And not only does he love me, but he also respects me, and I have great respect for him.
Mr Deveril must be a strange young man that he considered Jane’s looks secondary to her personality.
I know that we will be ecstatically happy.
There is one thing though, which he kept from me initially and which I must tell you about. It seems that he is not just plain Mr Deveril, but he is Lord James Deveril, the second son of the Duke of Barrington and the heir presumptive as his older brother has no children.
Could it be? Was her dearest Jane going to be a duchess, even if it was in the distant future?
Because of this circumstance, his mother, the duchess, arranged to have me and my sisters presented to the Queen.
Mrs Bennet held out her hand to Hill for her salts as she cried, ‘You will never believe it, but Jane and the other girls have met the Queen.’
Her Majesty even included the Gardiner’s in her invitation. I probably should not say so, but Lizzy made an impertinent reference to dancing bears.
The lady frowned, not understanding the reference but she was pleased for her brother and his wife.
Speaking of Lizzy. Do you remember Mr Darcy, the gentleman who made that unflattering remark about her?
He apologised most sincerely and has quite changed his mind about my sister and she about him.
Would you believe that she agreed to a courtship with Mr Darcy?
It seems they both enjoy having someone with whom they can argue about any and all intellectual topics.
Personally, I think it exhausting, but it seems to make them happy.
Now I must rush as we have to get ready for a ball given by the Duke of Langford.
Your loving daughter
Jane
Mrs Bennet thought, what is the world coming to? Lord James was more interested in Jane’s personality than her beauty while Mr Darcy, who had insulted Lizzy’s looks, is enamoured with her intelligence and bookishness.
Mrs Bennet sat in stunned silence for some minutes when she finished reading, but then her natural exuberance reasserted itself. She jumped to her feet and rushed to her husband’s library.
‘Mr Bennet, you will never believe what Jane has written. She is to be a duchess!’
~T~
The evening papers contained a notice from the palace.
Her Majesty, Queen Charlotte, at the request of Her Grace, Isabella Deveril, the Duchess of Barrington, most graciously granted a private audience to three young ladies recently come to town.
Her Majesty declared herself delighted to welcome Miss Jane Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire as well as her sisters Miss Elizabeth and Miss Mary, and she was heard to say that she thought the ladies to be a fine addition to London society.
They were accompanied not only by the Duchess of Barrington and her son Lord James Deveril, but also by the uncle and aunt of the Misses Bennet, Mr and Mrs Edward Gardiner, of Audley Street in Mayfair.
The article caused some speculation about the relationship of Lord James Deveril and Miss Jane Bennet.
~T~
As arranged by the Duke of Langford and the Duchess of Barrington, they arrived at the duke’s residence before the other guests were expected and were warmly greeted by their host. Langford was tall and trim and the twinkle in his eyes belied his white hair.
‘My dear Isabella, It is a delight to see you. Are you still determined to make me happy by refusing to marry me?’
‘No… I am refusing since I want to make myself happy,’ she teased in return.
‘Ah well, you know best.’ The duke shrugged and indicated his companions. ‘Do you remember my son Frederic and his wife Clarissa?’
‘I do indeed,’ she responded and briefly greeted the marquess and marchioness before introducing her own party.
Once the introductions were complete, the duke requested, ‘Miss Bennet, would you and your fiancé join the receiving line where I can introduce you to my guests. It will save explanations later.’
‘What a splendid idea,’ enthused the duchess. ‘Although the official notice will be in the papers tomorrow, since we were only waiting until we had Her Majesty’s seal of approval.’
‘I saw the notice of your visit in the evening paper.’
‘I wonder how many people will see it before the ball.’
The duke chuckled. ‘Probably most of my guests.’
While the duke was correct in his assumption, there were at least two guests who missed that little snippet.
~T~
Once the other guests started to arrive, the rest of the party drifted into the ballroom where they were soon joined by a growing crowd, although the room was large enough that it did not become a crush.
Elizabeth was pleased that she recognised many of the guests from other functions.
Because Darcy was staying by her side, he was perforce drawn into the conversations which Elizabeth struck up with various acquaintances.
Following her conversational leads, Darcy surprised even himself by contributing to the dialogue.
He felt himself relaxing and was starting to enjoy himself.
Unsurprisingly, many of the gentlemen they encountered asked Elizabeth for dances and soon her dance card was full since she had already promised one set each to Deveril and Fitzwilliam, while Darcy had requested the first and supper sets.
She was aware that Mary had promised those same dances to the Colonel, while Jane would be dancing all three significant sets with Deveril.
When they had a brief moment to themselves, Darcy said, ‘Thank you, Miss Elizabeth for smoothing my interactions. I cannot remember a time when I felt such ease at a function.’
‘That is high praise indeed, Mr Darcy, and we have not even started dancing yet.’
The words had barely left her lips when the musicians struck a chord to alert the guests that the dancing was about to start.
Unsurprising, at least for members of their own party, the duke led the duchess to the floor to lead the first set. They were closely followed by his son and daughter-in-law, who in turn were followed by Jane and Deveril.
Darcy bowed and offered his arm to Elizabeth. ‘Shall we?’
Elizabeth took his proffered arm and Darcy led her to a spot near Mary and Fitzwilliam.
~T~